I would like to introduce you to...

...my new companions.
I love them, and they love my feet. I will never again estimate the impact a good pair of shoes can make...

They make their race debut (along with their owner) on October 18 at 9:35am for the Dawg Dash at the University of Washington in Seattle...

You may think you know me...

...but here are just a few things that you probably DON'T know.

I always return my shopping cart to the store after grocery shopping. I think it is extremely lazy not to do this- I mean didn't I just walk over a mile up and down the aisles? How hard is it to walk 100 more feet to put the cart back inside...consider this a pet peeve of mine.

If someone is crying, I am almost guaranteed to cry as well.

I hate mushrooms...passionately.

Overall I am a likable person...If someone does not like me I have a hard time accepting that and I never forget them either. I think I have some issues with letting go...maybe.

I love anthologies...especially romance and vampire ones.

I wanted to be an accountant my first semester in College...but my Sister 'the architect' inspired me so I graduated with a Bachelor degree in Interior Design.

I love daisies...they are my favorite, followed closely by orange roses.

I ran college track for one year at the University of Arkansas...I don't regret not showing up the next year either.

I am a much happier person if I work-out in the morning.

I love cheesy high school movies...I don't think I will ever out grow them.

My nicknames in high school were 'toes' and 'snow white'.

I have lived and worked in 4 major cities ~ Little Rock, Denver, Minneapolis, and Seattle...

I hate disappointing people.

I think it is rude and selfish to arrive late to a child's birthday party.

I clean when I get upset.

So now you know a little more about me... hope you still like me!

I am so bad...

...I am stumbling, and tripping and frankly just falling down on my face. I can stay motivated for awhile and then...I LOSE IT!

Walking ~ 30 days straight
Running ~ 2 weeks straight
Watching what I eat ~ 8 weeks straight

...and then BOOM! I go on a binge...Can I tell you how badly I DON'T want to step on the scale on Tuesday? It will go up so I am telling you all now. I was so close the 10 lbs being history and now I will be luck to see 5 lbs still gone.

this week, goodness what didn't I eat???
this week, when did I actually work out???

Enough...That is my shame this week. I am gong to bed now so I can step opn the Elliptical tomorrow morning at 5:00 sharp.

Okay, I feel much better now...

I am going to brag...

...because, well, he is only 4.

Smiles happen...

...when you watch 3 grown adults fight over your homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies during the last 20 seconds of a silent auction (and each batch went for $40!)

...when my 4-year-old knows and reads to me 10 sight words!

...when Bob requests that I stop by the store on my way home so I can make my special bruschetta.

...smiling now.

Terror Tuesday...

Can you believe I...

Worked out

Dropped off & picked up my boys today

Only Worked an 8 hour day

Made Vegetable Beef Soup

Baked a Batch of Cookies for a Silent Auction

Survived homework with a 2nd grader

Taught my pre-schooler the sight words 'in' & 'the'

Cooked Chicken Noodle Soup for a sick husband

Made my lunch & school agers lunch for tomorrow

Forgot it was Tuesday

Put the boys to bed

Dyed my hair dark brown

folded laundry

unloaded dishes

wrote two blog posts

and now I am reading Sookie!

...yeah, me neither. I can't make this a habit.

Happy Birthday P-Man!

Can you believe I am old enough to have an 8 year old nephew??? I know it's crazy. I was like, 12 when he was born...

...and if you believe that, then you are more gullible than me.

PS...I love you Parker!

Aunt C...

PSS...I am sure your Mommy told you by now, but I am not the most reliable when it comes to getting gifts sent in the mail on time...hold tight Buddy, it should be there in 5 sleeps at most.

Planes, Trains, Gondolas, & Automobiles

And now, the wait is over... We had a fun packed, mini-vacation over the long Labor Day weekend at Silver Mountain in Kellogg, ID (No, this is NOT where you get Frosted Flakes Cereal either!) ...complete with

Planes,

trains gondolas &

Automobiles

The boys woke up without anticipation...yeah, that's what happens when you don't tell them about a trip until you are AT THE AIRPORT. I highly suggest it for everyone's next vacation. Then, they actually sleep the night before.

After our quick 45 minute flight to Spokane we ventured across Idaho to Kellogg for a hiking, water parking adventure. Below is the evidence and it was so very enjoyable and peaceful for all four Rowan's... Cade holding onto the Gondola...

Travelling up on the Gondola...Cade

Top of the Mountain...

In case you've never seen a ski slope during the summer. It was pretty amazing.

One of the many fireplaces located in the Gondola Village... Cade & Bob

Gondola Ride Down...Morgan

Mojo & His personal Airplane...

My Favorite Photos...Shadows of me & Mojo

Photo of the Silt Slides on top of Silver Mountain...this is usually covering in snow & pretty amazing. It was treacherous to walk on. Especially for a clutz such as I.

'The Rowan Boys...' almost to the bottom again...

Floating around the 'Lazy River'...Mojo's favorite

More Lazy River...

Huckleberry Ice Cream...

Cade is sad to go...

Our Condo while at Silver Mountain...very nice.

Morgan, Airplane and more of the Condo...

Gondola Village Courtyard, view from our balcony...

Another view from the balcony...the blue support is the Gondola lift...

Finally heading home...

And that's about as many photos as I can handle...Blog you all later.

22 of 52...

I love the set-up and breakdown pictures when you are trying to get that perfect photo. Sometimes these more fun than the perfect photo! These photos are of Mojo and I on the Gondola ride up to Silver Mountain.





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52 Weeks is a year long challenge for Mom (that’s me) to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is my chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with my family. Click on the button above to see other Mother’s that are taking part in the challenge – and we all know it IS a challenge.

Wordless Wednesday...

Happy Thoughts...

I am in the mood... whether they are happy thoughts or simple pleasures, I felt the need to make a list- a HAPPY list-tonight...here it is in no special order!

1. Fudge bars
2. Loose jeans, as opposed to tight jeans before
3. After 12 years - the best annual performance review EVER!
4. Knee hugs from my boys
5. Diet Pepsi
6. Knowing there is now less of me to love!
7. The word 'nummy'
8. Running
9. Sookie Stackhouse books (go ahead, I know you are going to google this!)
10. Ski Season is getting close!
11. Big, dark sky with lots of stars
12. First Day of Second grade
13. A clean kitchen
14. Red Vines, Red Vines, Red Vines {sigh}
15. Listening to my 4 year old read books to himself

Hope you have some happy thoughts today as well!

First Day of Second Grade, and History Repeats itself...

We have a 2nd Grader. When did THAT Happen?

okay, now for the story.

History: CASSANDRA
A young 12 year-old in 7th Grade came home one day and told her mom, 'Ms. Shopfner (Art Teacher) moved everyone except for me because they wouldn't stop talking to me!' (sigh, I know you are laughing Mom...and I will indulge you of course.)

Now History Repeats itself: CADE
A young 7 year old in 2nd Grade came home one day and told his mom, 'I got moved today mama because everyone sitting around me wouldn't stop talking to me!' (sigh, he is now sitting front and center of the teacher, the PERFECT place for this quite little mouse.)

Everyday I am reminded how much Cade and I are a like. And everyday- I thank my lucky stars. My Mom survived me and still loves me so I know I can do it too!

I am still working on our Labor Day post...stay tuned!

Blog you all later...

Idaho = Great Trip

Well the Rowan's had a great trip over the long weekend. We are all pretty exhausted and ready for the start of 2nd grade tomorrow. Here are a few pictures of our exciting weekend. Stay tuned for the full post tomorrow evening.

Night all...blog at you later.

21 of 52...

ME and THE BOYS

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52 Weeks is a year long challenge for Mom (that’s me) to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is my chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with my family. Click on the button above to see other Mother’s that are taking part in the challenge – and we all know it IS a challenge.